SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Group E and Group H return to action on Monday at the 2022 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship in Honduras with three teams hoping to make it two wins from two matches.
Cuba vs. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Starting in Group E at the Estadio Nacional in Tegucigalpa will be Cuba taking on Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Cuba could not have asked for a better start to the tournament, as a late first half goal from Kevin Martin, combined with a strong defense, paved the way for a 1-0 victory against Canada.
Now, Cuba will have their sights set on two straight wins to open their CMU20 campaign against a Saint Kitts and Nevis side that fell 10-0 to the United States, despite GK Xander Parke making six excellent saves for the Sugar Boyz.
It will be the first ever meeting between the two nations in CMU20 competition.
USA vs. Canada
The nightcap in Group E will see the U.S. take on Canada in what should be an intriguing duel between North American squads.
The U.S. found the back of the net throughout against Saint Kitts and Nevis, with Nikolas Tsakiris and Paxten Aaronson each scoring a brace. But they will be up against a Canada side that will be starving for all three points after suffering defeat in their opener against Cuba.
There has been just one previous meeting between the two sides in the CMU20, coming nine years ago in the 2013 edition when the U.S. topped their northern neighbors in the quarterfinals, 4-2.
Antigua and Barbuda vs Costa Rica
The Estadio Morazan in San Pedro Sula will once again play hosts to the matches in Group H, beginning with Antigua and Barbuda squaring off with Costa Rica for the first time ever in the CMU20.
The Caribbean side did well to go toe-to-toe with Honduras in their opening match before succumbing late, 3-0. The Benna Boys will be out to rebound against a Costa Rica team that will want to get the taste of Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Jamaica out of their mouths.
The Ticos led late on a Dorian Rodriguez goal and were bolstered by a penalty kick stop in the 74th minute, only for Jamaica to once again win a penalty in second half stoppage time and see that attempt converted by Jahmari Clarke, resulting in a share of the spoils.
Honduras vs Jamaica
The day in San Pedro Sula will wrap up with hosts Honduras taking on Jamaica following the Catrachos’ 3-0 win against Antigua and Barbuda in which Aaron Zuniga, Jefryn Macias and Marco Aceituno all found the back of the net.
It will be the third CMU20 meeting between the two nations, with Honduras winning the previous two, 4-0 in the 2009 edition and 2-1 in 2011.
